Once again, our nation is stunned by cold-blooded slaughter. Thirteen innocent civilians, victims of yet another senseless mass shooting. Stunned, though truth be told we are beginning to become numb to these tragedies. In the past month alone, we've had massacres in Alabama, Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Binghamton, and a particularly brutal one in Germany too.
While some focus on preventive measures such as heightening security and stricter gun control laws, almost all agree that we also need to explore the deeper issue; we need to get a handle on why this is happening—and on such a frighteningly regular basis. What is motivating these people to be so utterly insensitive to the destruction they are wreaking on people who've never harmed them? How can they not take into consideration the lives they are destroying? And why are they turning the gun on themselves? As a society, where have we gone wrong?
I'm not a sociologist or psychologist, but the answer is quite clear to me. Fortune has not smiled upon these individuals – financially, usually – leaving these people with zero feeling of self-worth. They have despaired of making any positive impact on the world; yet, in a world of six billion people, they want to leave their mark. And if others have to make the ultimate sacrifice on these killers' altar of ego, so be it.
It would seem to me that these peoples' crazed actions are a symptom of a large segment of society's collective low self-esteem and yearning to be immortalized, to make a difference. Thankfully, the basic decency that defines humanity doesn't allow most people to even contemplate such evil actions. But I believe that the answer to these mass killings lies in treating this underlying issue.
Today is the 11th of Nissan, a day when Jews and non-Jew worldwide are celebrating the 107th anniversary of the birth of the Rebbe. To quantify the Rebbe's legacy is impossible—he taught, stood for and accomplished so much, in so many diverse areas. But here are some themes that stand out throughout the Rebbe's teachings:
Every human being has intrinsic worth. This intrinsic worth is not based on achievements. It's because of our pure G‑dly core, the beautiful and holy essence we each have. And every individual can connect to G‑d—no matter the circumstances. There is no greater self-worth than the ability to connect, and bring nachas, to the Supreme Being.
And it is because of this self-worth that every individual, in any situation, can make a significant difference. Wherever you are, you are there for a reason. Whether you are geographically lost or figuratively lost – unemployed, not where you want to be, feeling the sting of failure – you are there because there is something there that needs to be done.
When we see ourselves and our world this way, we are inoculated against the kind of despair that can lead a lonely person to make his last statement to the world using a gun. There is always a reason to live, a possibility of giving, and even the most severe economic or social distress can be weathered.
What is the best way to get this message out to everyone, specifically the people who need to hear it most?
Have ideas? I invite you to use the comment feature to share them with us all.
